Canada 150 celebrations begin in earnest in downtown Peterborough on Thursday, June 29th with “Downtown Pop Up” — a full day of music, performances, and other family activities organized by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA).
The celebrations kick off in the morning at Millennium Park with two events to celebrate the contributions of indigenous peoples to the formation of Canada — and to recognize Peterborough is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe (Ojibway), originally named and known as Nogojiwanong.
The Gathering of Youth for Nogojiwanong is a family-oriented event running from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
It features performances by indigenous artists including DNA (the Dedicated Native Awareness Drum Group), The Red Path Singers, singer-songwriter Taylor Merrick, the M’shkaaziwing Singers and Curve Lake Youth Dancers, storyteller Chad Solomon, hoop dancer Beany John, and more.
From 12 p.m. until 2 p.m., there will be a Canada 150 Kick‐Off Ribbon Cutting & Picnic in Millennium Park with swing, jazz, funk, and rock ‘m’ roll band Knightshift.
At 1 p.m., Peterborough Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and Public Energy will present “Between the Water and the Sky”, a live performance featuring the PSO String Quartet, Unity, and Jade Willoughby. The performance features The Medicine Song and Ghost Dancer by local indigenous vocal ensemble Unity, with an embodied movement response to sound by indigenous dancer and performer Jade Willoughby. The performance will be repeated at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. in front of Peterborough City Hall.
The celebrations then move to the streets of downtown Peterborough with live music at different venues from 1 to 11 p.m. Here’s the schedule of who’s performing and when and where:
| Performer(s) | Time | Location |
| Celtic Harp Trio (Tanah Haney) | 1 – 3 pm | Simply Delicious Bistro & Bakery, 191 Charlotte St. |
| Peterborough New Horizons Band | 3 – 4 pm | Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain |
| Peterborough Concert Band | 4 – 6 pm | Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain |
| L.I.V.E Peterborough – Young Musicians Showcase | 4 – 9 pm | The Spill, 414 George St. N. |
| Country Music Artist Dean James | 5 – 8 pm | Champs Sports Bar patio, 203 Simcoe St. (Charlotte Mews) |
| Danny Bronson: Gordon Lightfoot Tribute | 5 – 8 pm | The Brickhouse Craft Burger Grill patio, 123 Simcoe St. |
| Rob Phillips Jazz Trio | 5 – 8 pm | Kettle Drums patio, 224 Hunter St. W. |
| Peterborough Pop Ensemble | 6 – 7 pm | Peterborough Square Courtyard, Water and Charlotte Streets – CANCELLED due to rain |
| Sean Conway | 8 – 11 pm | The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W. |
| Acoustic Rock Duo Travis Berlenbach and Josh Gontier | 6 – 9 pm | Riley’s Pub rooftop patio, 251 George St. N. |
| Blues and R&B with Bobby Watson | 7 – 10 pm | Historic Red Dog patio, 189 Hunter St. W. |
| Bring Your Can-Con (Canadian Music Contest), Hosted by The Wire Megazine | 4 – 9 pm | Dr. J’s BBQ & Brews, 282 Aylmer St. N. |
| Mike Graham Gypsy Jazz Trio | 7 – 10 pm | The Lounge by Lignum, 442 George St. N. |
| Oldies with the Rick & Gailie Band | 5 – 8 pm | The Blackhorse Pub, 452 George St. N. |
In addition to live music, there are other activities happening in the afternoon.
Hunter Street Books (164 Hunter St. W.) will be running a Canadian-themed event all day.
Local artist Jason Wilkins will be offering free caricatures at Natas Café (376 George St. N.) from 3 to 6 p.m.
Champion chainsaw woodcarver Steven Kenzora from Young’s Point will provide a demonstration of live chainsaw carving from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the front steps of Peterborough City Hall (500 George St. N.).
In the evening, you can participate in an interactive art experience from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gallery In The Attic (140 Hunter St. W., 3rd floor).
If you prefer comedy over art, the Citiots Improv troupe will be performing an adults-only show from 7 to 9 p.m. at Catalina’s ( 131 Hunter St. W.).
The day-long celebrations will finish in front of the fountain at Millennium Park with a live fire and circus show called “Elements” by the Peterborough Academy for Circus Arts. The spectacular display of aerial silks and fire features Opal, Kayla Stanistreet, Nicole Malbeuf, Tegan Moss, Thomas Vaccaro, and Victoria Wood with original music by aquapher. There will be two performances, at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.
All the Canada 150 celebrations over four days in Peterborough are free. Some events are subject to last-minute changes, and other events are weather dependent. For more information and for last-minute updates on Peterborough’s Canada 150th celebration schedule, visit www.peterborough.ca/ptbo150, www.facebook.com/PTBO150, or @Ptbo150, and search for the hashtag #Ptbo150 on social media.
